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へこき虫 (へこきむし) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

へこき虫むし

Meanings

1

noun

stink bug; bombardier beetle

Colloquial term for insects that emit a foul smell when threatened, especially the bombardier beetle. Often used by children or in casual speech.

庭にわでへこき虫むしを見みつけた。
I found a stink bug in the garden.
へこき虫むしは、危き険けんを感かんじると臭くさい液えきを出だす。
When a bombardier beetle senses danger, it releases a smelly liquid.

Written forms

へこき虫むし
Common mixed kana-kanji spelling; the most practical written form for learners.
屁へ放こき虫むし
Kanji spelling using 屁 (fart) and 放き (release); rare and may be considered crude or old-fashioned.
へこき蟲むし
Uses the old-style kanji 蟲 for insect; very rare and mostly historical.

Kanji

屁fart, passing gas

set free, release, fire

虫insect, bug, temper

蟲insect, bug, temper

Similar words

カメムシ
Standard term for stink bugs (family Pentatomidae); more formal and widely used in biology.
屁へっ放ぴり虫むし
Variant with emphatic gemination; similar meaning and register.

Etymology

Compound of 屁 (へ, 'fart'), 放き (こき, continuative form of 放く 'to release'), and 虫 (むし, 'bug'). Literally 'fart-releasing bug', referring to the insect's defensive odor.